Weber 7416 Rapidfire Chimney Starter Reviews

• You need this!

  
  By A2KQN0OAJJ1AZL on 2008-04-10
  I'm a big food Network fan and my favorite guy is Alton. What I saw on one of his shows was the most awesome advice for this device. Take ONE, that's right, ONE piece of newspaper and sprinkle a few drops of vegetable oil on it; then put it under your chimney starter (outdoors, please, eggman if you're reading this) and fire it up with a full can of any kind of charcoal. You won't believe how well this works. One more thing; DO NOT set a chimney starter on a gravel driveway when you start it. For some reason, the heat transfers much easier through gravel than concrete. Just put the thing on your grill grate and wait for 20 minutes. You'll have smokin' hot coals that will be almost too hot for smokin' food. I even saw Alton searing tuna on top of one of these things.
  
  

• The gold standard in chimney starters

  
  By A2YQJ44XCVYT0M on 2008-04-13
  This is the absolute best way to get your grill going. Unlike the little chimneys sold at Lowe's, this holds a lot of charcoal, enough to fill an entire kettle grill, and the airflow through it is very efficient. Two sheets of newspaper and a match, and your briquettes will be ready to go in 10-15 minutes.
  
  The aluminized finish on this resists heat and rust quite well. Other reviewers have commented on the helper handle, but the really key feature of this chiminey starter is the conical wire grid inside that holds up the charcoal. Unlike perforated metal plate inside the no-name chimeny starters, this wire grid lets all of the flame from the newspaper through to the charcoal, resulting in the charcoal lighting in half the time.
  
  All of that, and it isn't any more expensive that the no-name brands. Bigger, faster, and more durable. What more could you ask for?
  
  

• Two observations...

  
  By A2DEOD8BPMNTG5 on 2008-07-01
  
  1. The openings in the vertical grating at the bottom are too narrow to permit insertion of any butane grill lighter I have been able to buy. I have to lift up the canister in order to light the paper in the bottom.
  
  2. After fiddling with newspaper trying to find right amount to use, I have found that using 1/2 of a paper grocery shopping bag (just cut it right up the middle with scissors) is perfect for lighting the chimney without fail.
  
  

• Night and Day

  
  By A3IBQUMCV64Q88 on 2008-05-22
  I usually cook in small batches, so I have a small Weber Smokey Joe. Since the grill is so small, I figured I could get away with using a perforated coffee can as a chimney starter to save the $13. I took the can, removed both ends with a can opener, and made a bunch of holes along the bottom with a bottle opener. I then put a sheet of newspaper inside, pile the coals on top, and light it. The can worked, and I used it for over a year, but then I finally decided that this starter was cheap enough that I should give it a try.
  
  The difference is night and day -- my coals start in half the time with the Weber, are much hotter when started, and, if I need to, I can start a LOT more coals at once. When they call this "Rapidfire" they mean it. If I had known what I do now, I never would've gone the coffee can route. This thing is so cheap, and works so well, that everyone with a charcoal grill should have one.
  
  

• This is the gold standard for chimney starters

  
  By A5C1D8ESHJNC0 on 2008-04-23
  I do a lot of outdoor cooking (grilling, Dutch ovens, and cast iron roasters) and I've never found a chimney starter that matches this one for price, quality, and efficiency. I have two right now and I've probably given away at least four to friends who didn't know about chimney starters. This is the only one I ever consider now.
  
  
• A great way to light charcoal
  By A1KJCJTC2VEVMF on 2008-07-27
  This starter is bigger than I thought it would be when I ordered it. It is big enough that I have never filled it more than about halfway with briquettes. Even at about half-full it is enough to supply two dutch ovens (12 inch and 14 inch, stacked) with enough firepower to cook a good meal.
  
  I really like that this requires no lighter fluid and will start the charcoal faster than the lighter fluid ever could. Applying a little cooking oil to the paper you place in the bottom does seem to start the charcoal faster, although it will temporarily smoke a bit more. Without adding oil I have found that I sometimes need to wait 10-12 more minutes longer or add more paper to the bottom before the charcoal is fully going.
  
  To stress again the size of this, filling the starter completely as shown in the picture would probably use between one-quarter and one-third of a 20 pound bag of charcoal.
  
  By consistently filling my it to approximately the same level (between the second and third holes on the side) my starter has developed a nice dull ring around it from the oxidation of the aluminum at high temperatures. Yes, the can was red hot (actually glowing). This does not in any way affect function and is almost certainly the reason for the aluminized steel, since this layer of oxidized aluminum will help to prevent oxidation of the steel (rust). I suspect that this would extend to cover the whole can after several years of use or a few big barbecues where the whole can is filled.
  
  
  
• JUST GREAT
  By A3ARGWL05L4O66 on 2008-08-18
  This worked just as all the reviews have said. Durable and FAST!
  
  Definately a great buy. Just one word of advice...if using in semi-windy conditions, be aware the newspaper ash will fly out from the bottom of the chimmney.
  
  
• Easy and efficient
  By A3MLGB6HEJFO3G on 2008-04-06
  What is there to say, its very easy to use and the 2 handles make it great to safely pour the hot coals into your grill or smoker.
  
  
• Brilliant!
  By A32RA9Y2J7REKP on 2008-04-16
  Works as advertised, built well, and made of robust materials. Just use a couple of pieces of newspaper (no oil or anything required) and you'll have nice ashy coals in about 15 min or so.
  
  
• Lighter Fluid Stinks!
  By A2GJD25CEHK3XS on 2008-05-15
  We have been using the Weber Chimney starters for years and will NEVER go back to lighter fluid. The chimney starts charcoal everytime, even in damp or drizzly weather. Anyone who charcoal grills or bbq's should try this product!
  
  
• Let there Be Light!
  By AI0NMYA3LKXW1 on 2008-05-16
  Good lord, can this thing pack a punch, I used it outside to light a few branches and almost started the local forest on fire. How it works is easy, inside there is a cathrobe ray tube, when heated turns into phosphorus fibers and are propelled (with the touch of a button), to come out and into the vent shafts which you aim at a fire log or something you want to ignite. Be careful to not point it at small children or pets because they can light up like a Christmas tree.
  
  
• Pack in that newspaper!
  By A2XVF2L0EKWGQ8 on 2008-05-31
  I did not take the directions to PACK in the newspaper tightly seriously enough. I had a 3 foot high flame and floating shards of burning newspaper on my first go at this gizmo. I had always used charcoal lighter fluid. The next run with tightly packed newspaper lit the charcoal quickly and with a nice controlled burn.
  
  If you are new to chimney starters...They are fast prepping the charcoal. Way less time than lighter fluid on the briquettes on the grill. You'll want to factor that in.
  
  
• A must have item!
  By A3BFSIMQ6OBLJI on 2008-08-09
  I recently purchased a Weber grill and didn't buy the RapidFire Chimney Starter with it. What a mistake! I initially used charcoal starter fluid until I finally bought the Chimney Starter. Wish I would have got it sooner because this item works great! In about 10 minutes you will have charcoal that's perfectly started on all sides and ready to go. BUY THIS ITEM if you use charcoal!
  
  
• Perfect.
  By A3D1TZH619NKHN on 2008-05-20
  I don't know how I ever got along without this. Nice evenly heated coals without dousing them in chemicals. Just use some loosely wadded newspaper lightly doused in vegetable oil underneath to get the coals going.
  
  
• Great fire starter
  By A3MHUOECVFVDGM on 2008-07-26
  Weber 7416 Rapidfire Chimney Starter works well every time. Stuff it with 2 full sheets of the newspaper, light the fire, and come back 10 minutes later, and you have yourself a fire ready to barbeque. I'll never be without one. You can buy the imitation and pay for it with frustration when the smaller ones won't light the 1st time, every time.
  
  
• Best accessory for a grill!
  By AI6LYFM5OJUOA on 2008-07-29
  Weber 7416 Rapidfire Chimney Starter This thing is the bomb!! You will never need lighter fluid anymore and have to deal with that nasty smell and taste that the fluid leaves on the food. This is the perfect accessory for a charcoal grill. Everybody should have one. It's real easy to light charcoal and when used correctly the charcoal comes out perfect for cooking. Buy this!
  
  
• Excellent
  By A4942HWHR01CQ on 2008-08-03
  Efficiently, quickly, and easily starts a sufficient amount of charcoal for a good-size barbecue. Heavy steel- should last a long time. Very easy to light.
  
  
• Too Small
  By AZT5LJBLJQHAE on 2008-08-03
  Pros:
  It does a great job of evenly starting charcoal.
  Using it as a cooking engine is really cool.
  Cons:
  Doesn't hold enough charcoal. Two separate burns are required to supply my Weber kettle grill.
  The newspaper that is recommended to start the fire turns to ash and flies around.
  Tipping hot coal into the grill is hazardous. I don welding gloves to protect my arms and shoo the kids and pets away first.
  
  Tip: Although explicitly advised against in the literature, I use lighter fluid anyway. Accelerants are just that: accelerants, and I like to minimize waiting.
  
  
• Great Product for the price
  By A2NWMTPCJVG7SB on 2008-08-06
  This product works as advertised. Easy to use and quickly lights charcoal. Only one or two sheets of newspaper is needed. Easily wins out over charcoal lighter fluid.
  
  
• Amazing
  By A1OJ76BH13790Z on 2008-08-17
  I must have been living in a cave because I just learned about this device. The hassle of starting charcoal - newspaper, starter fluid, paraffin squares - are GONE. The lingering taste of starter fluid in grilled meat - GONE. This gadget works incredibly well. I place 2 sheets of crumpled up newspaper in the bottom, add charcoal to the top chamber, then light the paper. After 10 minutes, it's a glowing inferno and the briquets are ready.
  CAUTION! Wear a welders glove though - the handle can get hot, and flames shoot out the top and bottom when you dump out the coals.
  
  
• Excellent Product
  By A13XEDPCR30BNG on 2008-08-18
  This thing rocks, simply rocks. Two piece of newspaper and one match, that's all it takes. Solid, nothing fancy, and get the job done. Never go back to fluid again.
  
  
• Lives up to its name
  By A18DS0QNK7MQ80 on 2008-08-22
  The Rapid fire chimney does exactly that. 2 1/2 sheets of the NY Times in the bottom fill the top with whatever charcoal you want and 10 minutes later you are cooking. No lighter fluid, no starter briquet taste on the food.
  
  
• Unbelievable!
  By A36IAYDO52AWWH on 2008-08-22
  The only word I can use to describe this thing is magic! This replaced another charcoal chimney that was purchased from "the" major department store. With the old chimney, it took about thirty minutes for the charcoal in the top to ignite. Not to mention it rusted to pieces! The first time I used the Weber chimney, I used one broadsheet of newspaper, crumpled it in the bottom, sprinkled on some oil, dumped the charcoal and lit it. Within ten minutes this thing was blazing!
  
  The design definitely contributes to the speed. It is full of vents, and the wire grate on the bottom is far superior to perforated metal. Charcoal also heats more evenly in this chimney, and becomes much hotter than with the old one. And of course the helper handle is nice.
  
  Although this is a little more expensive than some other chimneys, do not even mess around with them. This makes grilling fun, and it allows the charcoal to heat so fast that even impatient gas grillers won't mind the wait! Now I never have to hear my wife ask, "how much longer?"
  
  
• Quick and natural fire starter
  By A1R6I0ZLP8M2C9 on 2008-08-25
  Love the Weber firestarter, works as intended and the wire handle gives excellent control when dumping coals.
  
  
• Another winner from Weber
  By A22B8CUI7NE4DM on 2008-09-06
  I have used generic chimney starters in the past,and, while they worked, they were also awkward and slow to get going. On the Weber 7416, the convex wire base, ample vent holes, and extremely comfortable double handle make this unit work perfectly. Two sheets of newspaper, given a quick spray with Pam, then crumpled, will have you ready to cook in less than 20 minutes. This is a great product, period!
  
  
• A must have for Charcoal users
  By AZVL57D2NG3T1 on 2008-10-02
  This product saves time, money, and eliminates lighter fluid taste. I get 4-5 years out of each one I purchase, and I grill heavily year round in Florida. I save a tremendous amount of money not having to purchase lighter fluid. It gets coals ready much faster and more thoroughly than lighter fluid, and leaves no aftertaste. You can start full baskets for large grills, or fill it less for smaller grills. Uses only newspaper. I have tried cheaper no name chimneys, but have always been disappointed. This is a much higher quality product than any equivalent product I have seen. You owe it to yourself to get one!
  
  
• So good I ordered a few more!
  By A1SDYKF997ZE8P on 2008-05-20
  So great I ordered one for my brother and 1 for my father for father's day!
  
  
• Better than the cheap stuff!
  By A374YEQ18KU5P0 on 2008-05-23
  You may find the inexpensive kind at the hardware store, but this baby is big and really does the job! fast and holds a lot! good deal.
  
  
• works like a charm
  By A1WQNX8TA4Q89Y on 2008-05-29
  We've used electric starters for years and bought this on a whim, glad we did, works great would def recommend it to anyone with a charcoal grill
  
  
• Perfect Gift for the man who grills
  By A164B70MVUF9U3 on 2008-06-02
  I had to order a new one because my father confiscated mine. It works like a charm (but yes, I agree with the other guy who said pack it good). The problem is, now what am I going to get him for fathers day?
  
  

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